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Before you Cruise

Snorkel Guidelines

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  • Before you Cruise: Snorkel Guidelines

As your departure date draws near, we wanted to extend a warm reminder with some key details to ensure your journey is not only smooth but also environmentally conscious.

Full Facemask Snorkel Policy

We are committed to your safety and kindly ask that guests refrain from using full-face masks on our snorkel ecotours. Not to worry, though! We provide top-quality snorkel gear onboard for all guests to ensure a memorable underwater experience.

Reef Safe Sunscreen Policy

Maui County passed Ordinance No. 5306 that bans the sale, distribution and use of non-mineral sunscreens without a prescription in October of 2022. Research has shown that some chemicals in sunscreen can damage coral reefs such as disrupting coral reproduction, inhibiting growth, and impacting coral DNA (Downs et al., 2016). When buying sunscreen, it is important to read the ingredient list, as the term “reef safe” is not government regulated and can be used as a marketing device. Users should avoid sunscreens containing the following chemicals: oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, avobenzine, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. Also avoid using aerosol or spray-on products and opt for lotions instead. Choose sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients, as these have not been shown to damage coral.

FAQ from County of Maui website:


Who enforces this ordinance?

  • Department of Environment, Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division.


What are the consequences of non-compliance?

A notice of violation will be mailed that may require any or all of the following:


Is my sunscreen really a problem? Don’t reefs face bigger threats?

  • Thousands of visitors and residents enjoy Maui County beaches, parks and nature reserves every day. In popular snorkeling locations, chemicals are washing off people every single day. Even if you are far from the ocean, chemicals washed off your body as you bathe will eventually end up in our ocean.
  • By removing a known stressor from the picture—petrochemical sunscreens—we increase the health and resilience of coral reefs so that they can be better equipped to handle the threats posed by pollution and climate change.
  • Using only mineral sunscreen is one step we can all take right now to protect the marine habitats that make Maui Nui unique.

Mineral Only Sunscreen Maui County

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